Chulane's world sounded dangerous and dark, crowded and violent. Billions of people was hard for Jigano to wrap his mind around, especially if they were all packed onto one world. The uncertainty in their deities was a source of further confusion when he had thought there was no god at all, but that one could choose to believe in them - or not?
"It all sounds very complex and confusing," the bard admitted wryly. "Though I think you'll find quite a few people here who are fine without the gods's touch in their lives. Magic users are called Abandoned for a reason, though it's through no fault of their own. We're trying to shift the term towards a more neutral 'mage' in the Grounds to ease some of that, but even so there are many who would avoid the gods entirely if they could - all of them." He was intrigued to hear Chuy's soliliquoy all the same, a curious tilt to his head as he smiled across at his new friend. "A philosopher as well as a vet'ranarian?" he asked, pleased at the discovery. "Though in Caido's case I'd say it is the gods's fault," he added, dryly. "Which is a damn shame, because if not for the methods she chooses, I might have admired the Voice, once. But she's too cavalier with the lives of non-Ascended for my taste. Not that Ludo hasn't made its own mistakes in the opposite direction but..." he sighed, offering a weary, rueful shrug. "At least we have the option to refuse the Old Gods. Not even the Attuned who are most closely aligned with them are dependent on them for sustenance in the way the Ascended are." He paused, considering.
"You might find it interesting to talk to Loren, come to think of it. Or others from Northhaven. Their world was one without gods or religion of any sort, from what I've heard. It might provide an interesting counterpoint. But, gods least fortunate... you said your world was one of billions?" Jigano shook his head, bemused. "Was your world so large? Or did you live all atop each other, in colonies?"
"It all sounds very complex and confusing," the bard admitted wryly. "Though I think you'll find quite a few people here who are fine without the gods's touch in their lives. Magic users are called Abandoned for a reason, though it's through no fault of their own. We're trying to shift the term towards a more neutral 'mage' in the Grounds to ease some of that, but even so there are many who would avoid the gods entirely if they could - all of them." He was intrigued to hear Chuy's soliliquoy all the same, a curious tilt to his head as he smiled across at his new friend. "A philosopher as well as a vet'ranarian?" he asked, pleased at the discovery. "Though in Caido's case I'd say it is the gods's fault," he added, dryly. "Which is a damn shame, because if not for the methods she chooses, I might have admired the Voice, once. But she's too cavalier with the lives of non-Ascended for my taste. Not that Ludo hasn't made its own mistakes in the opposite direction but..." he sighed, offering a weary, rueful shrug. "At least we have the option to refuse the Old Gods. Not even the Attuned who are most closely aligned with them are dependent on them for sustenance in the way the Ascended are." He paused, considering.
"You might find it interesting to talk to Loren, come to think of it. Or others from Northhaven. Their world was one without gods or religion of any sort, from what I've heard. It might provide an interesting counterpoint. But, gods least fortunate... you said your world was one of billions?" Jigano shook his head, bemused. "Was your world so large? Or did you live all atop each other, in colonies?"
